<p>Yes, “Pre-meds usually take non-calc-based physics”. There is not need for calc-based physics unless it is in your area of interest. It was confirmed with pre-med advosor at D’s school.</p>
<p>I think most pre-meds take non-calc based physics, but it does vary. Purely guessing, I’d say that at my school it was roughly 50/50. I distinctly remember a lot of pre-meds in my calc-based physics class, but I also knew a lot of pre-meds who said they were taking non-calc based physics.</p>
<p>Algebra physics is all you need. Calc physics can sometimes make it harder because you have to dumb down your knowledge for the MCAT (which generalizes up the wazoo). It isn’t a big deal either way.</p>
<p>EngineerHead - I am not confused, I am just speaking from my own experiences (which may or may not be pertinent to others depending on their own individual situations). However, my physics class is not calculus based and although the derivations of formulas are sometimes shown to us, it is not required that we use any calculus to solve the problems in the textbook. I have never spent an hour trying to solve a problem (partially because I simply don’t have that kind of time to devote to a single problem, and if I don’t understand how to do a problem I check the solutions manual or ask someone for help). We have covered more material than I did in high school (more chapters of information), but we are usually assigned and tested on only medium difficulty problems with the occasional easier or harder problem thrown in there.</p>
<p>At my school, the engineering pre-meds are required to take calculus-based physics for their major, but everyone else has the choice. Non-calculus based physics was listed on my course requirements and since that’s what most of my friends were taking, I opted to take it as well.</p>
<p>You are, indeed, confused.
You begin by trying to state (the absurd idea) that college classes do not necessarily go deeper in understanding than high school academic classes. You proceed to exemplify this by comparing your AP Calculus (college-level*) class to your college calculus class. Inconsistencies?</p>
<p>There are many ways to teach high school classes and many universities in the US. I imagine there have to be a few that overlap. I know that my advanced biology class, non-ap, was the sum of my first semester of General Biology and, I dare say, a tad more extensive. Then again, I didn’t go to a university renowned for advanced undergraduate education :D.</p>
<p>Also, it is generally accepted that many AP courses that teach purely for the test do not cover as much material as college calc. It is best not to assume that you learned everything that most college classes will teach, but I am not 100% on board with the belief that one can not forge ahead without retaking the courses. Even if you didn’t learn some of the fringe material, you’ll probably know the core that will be necessary to take more advance courses.</p>
<p>Calc is not needed to retake if there is AP credit. However, Stats are very useful, and if one did not take it in HS, strongly recommend. It is also very easy “A” with not much work.</p>